97-year-old woman killed in Pennsylvania home robbery, police say

NANTICOKE, Pa. – Pennsylvania State Police say a 97-year-old woman was killed in what appears to be a random home invasion robbery on Thanksgiving night in Luzerne County.

Investigators said the elderly woman, identified as Gertrude Price, was discovered around 10 a.m. Friday by family members, who came to check on her when she wasn't answering the phone.

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Police say Price last spoke to her family around 10:20 p.m. Thursday and neighbors noticed that her house lights were on around 11 p.m. that night. Neighbors told police it was highly unusual for Price to be up that late so investigators suspect the crime happened late Thanksgiving night. Investigators suspect the assailant entered the home through a basement window.

No arrests have been made in the case, The Citzens’ Voice reported.

“I know a lot of times we say there is no cause for concern because it doesn’t look random,” Trooper Martin Conners told the newspaper.

“This, unfortunately, is exactly the opposite,” he said.

Authorities said the home was ransacked and are working to determine if anything was taken.

“She was a nice, quiet lady,” neighbor Michael Wright told The Citizens’ Voice. “She never did anything to anybody,” he said.

An autopsy will be conducted Saturday. Authorities declined to provide additional details and are asking anyone with information to contact state police.